#603 : Until the Sun - A Night at the Rhythm Room (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Independent

By Phillip Smith; April 1, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Until the Sun’s impressive live album A Night at the Rhythm Room is absolutely delightful.  This Arizona-based band comprised of guitarist Brandon Teskey, singer Alyssa Swartz, drummer Chris Tex, and bassist Jay Zarecki is one hell of a tight-knit unit.  The album, recorded at the legendary Rhythm Room in Phoenix contains elements of rock, blues, jazz, and psychedelia poured into their music.  They certainly have their own unique sound, and I like it a lot.

I’m lulled in to “The 4^th Turning” with a beautiful melodic introduction to be wowed by Swartz’s lovely yet powerful voice.  Teskey’s guitar prowess is downright amazing when he shifts into Jimi-mode on this hypnotic rocker.  The band serves up a nice greasy dish of downhome blues with “Hell of a Thing”.  Swartz’s vocal performance oozes with feeling and emotion and I love the tone Teskey gets out of his instrument.  His musicianship really shines.  The heavy-fuzz infused “Diamonds in the Dust” is felt right down to the bone.  Zarecki’s bassline adds to the weight of the song while Tex brings his own brand of thunder to this infectious rocker. 

Out of the ten tracks on this album, all are original except for two.   The first cover is a exquisite take on Etta James’ “At Last”.  The focus rightly turns to Alyssa on this track with good reason.  She has a phenomenal voice.  The second cover is a brilliant performance of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”.  Swartz sounds great singing it, and Teskey’s licks light up like fireworks.  With that song, the show ends on a high note leaving me wanting more.  

I highly recommend this record.  Now that Until the Sun is on my radar, I am going to keep a keen eye out for further releases.                            

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TRACKLIST

 

1. Battle Cry

2. The 4th Turning

3. Hell Of A Thing

4. Death In Disguise

5. Diamonds In The Dust

6. Unborn

7. At Last

8. Arisen

9. Burning Home

10. Whole Lotta love

 

For more information about Until the Sun, visit their website at :  https://untilthesun.com/

 

#588 > Steve Hill - Dear Illusion (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2022 – No Label Records

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 11, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Canadian bluesman Steve Hill has pulled down an impressive number of awards over his twenty-seven-plus years of playing professionally.  In 2015 he was awarded the Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year.  In 2013 he received the Best self-produced CD award at the Memphis International Blues Challenge.  And as far as the Maple Blues Awards go, he’s secured eight of them for different categories over the years.   That being said, Steve Hill is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and his latest album, Dear Illusion is absolutely brilliant.  The album contains ten masterfully-written original songs performed by Hill on vocals and a variety of instruments: guitars, bass, drums, pedal steel, piano, mandolin, and harmonica.  Behind Hill, is drummer Wayne Proctor, and The Devil Horns.

An infectious guitar riff and a blast of horns kicks the record in with a fully-charged burst of energy on “All About the Love”.  The up-tempo beat lays down the red-carpet for the hot blues revue to come.  Leading in with a swampy serving of harp, Hill keeps the momentum going with “Keep it Together”.  The slide guitar on this Springsteen-like track sounds great paired with the horns.  As soon as “Follow Your Heart” starts, I immediately start soaking up that honky-tonk era Stones vibe.  Not only is this a terrific song, but it offers great advice as well.  A melancholy wave rushes over me when I hear “So it Goes”.  Hill enhances the mood on this lovely ballad performing on mandolin.  Dear Illusion concludes with “Until the Next Time”, a song which makes me think of George Harrison very much.  The song is weightless and grounded at the same time. 

Steve Hill’s Dear Illusion is a splendid album from beginning to end.  It’s a musical gem.

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Also check out my review for Steve Hill – Solo Recordings Volume 3

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/07/steve-hill-solo-recordings-volume-3.html

 

              

 

For more information about Steve Hill, visit this website :

https://www.stevehillmusic.com/

 

 

#581 > Robert Connely Farr - Shake It (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – Robert Connely Farr

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 22, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

The music of Robert Connely Farr caught my attention back in 2019 with the release of his Dirty South Blues album.  It was absolutely wonderful.  His latest release Shake It continues to keep my attention glued to his works and marks his ninth studio album.  Farr excels at understanding the mechanics and history of the Bentonia style of blues as taught to him by his hometown hero 2020 Grammy Nominee for Best Traditional Blues Album, Jimmy ”Duck” Holmes. Seventy-five-year-old Holmes, living a life submersed in the blues, owns the oldest surviving juke joint in the world, The Blue Front Café located in Bentonia, Mississippi.  With Farr on lead guitar and vocals, the rest of the band on this nine-track gem is comprised of drummer Jay Bundy Johnson, bassist Tom Hillifer, and shaker/back up vocalist Liam Moes.  

The album starts off with a brilliant revision of Charlie Patton’s 1929 side “Screaming & Hollering”.  Farr breathes new life into the song with beautifully haunting guitar riffs and an expressive Bentonia approach.  Following next is a splendid cover of Jimmy “Duck” Holmes’ “Going Away to Leave You”, from his 2013 release All Night Long.  Riding a wave of heavy bass and injected with a fist-full of distortion, the song penetrates right to the bone. 

Hillifer and Johnson lay down a really funky rhythm for “Miss My Baby”, one of the six original songs, penned by Farr.  This call-out of the corporate world’s working trends running amok is quite infectious.  I love the rolling, swampy attack of title-track “Shake It”.  It’s gets right up there in my face staring me down eye-to-eye.  For the closer, Farr brushes off Tommy McClennan’s 1941 78 he cut for Bluebird Records “Sugar Mama”.  I can hear the desperation in his voice.  It’s so heavy.

Shake It marks my fourth review for Farr, and that’s a very positive statement.  I highly recommend this album. 

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Other PhillyCheeze Reviews for Robert Connely Farr:

 

Dirty South Blues

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/05/391-robert-connely-farr-rebeltone-boys.html

 

Country Supper

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2020/12/474-robert-connely-farr-country-supper.html

 

Ain’t Enough

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2022/01/535-robert-connely-farr-aint-enough.html

 

Find Robert Connely Farr on bandcamp.com

Starlite Campbell Band - Blueberry Pie

2016 – Supertone Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 14, 2017

Blueberry Pie, an album of outstanding original blues from married musical duo Starlite Campbell Band captured my full attention upon first listen.  Singer/songwriter/bassist Suzy Starlite and her husband singer/songwriter/guitarist Simon Campbell also own Supertone Records, an independent label based in London, with a world-class analog recording studio located in Valencia Spain.  This eleven track album also features Steve Gibson on drums, Jimmy Henderson on Hammond Organ and Wurlitzer Electric Piano, along with special guest Danny Boy Sánchez on harmonica.

A propelling rhythm highlighted by an intoxicating bassline make way for Campbell’s delicious blues guitar licks to ignite on “Walkin’ Out the Door”.  The band gets down and dirty on the exhilerating “You’re So Good For Me”.  Henderson attacks the Hammond with full force as Campbell throws down a riveting and electric performance.  It’s as if there was a musical “battle royale” between the two in the studio. This one is a downright splendid recording.

The Starlite Campbell Band also has a folky and rootsy side.  Acoustic title track “Blueberry Pie” warmly comforts the soul with eloquent harmonies and a taste of slide.  They beautifully deliver the poppy and melancholy “I Need a Light” in a mesmerizing fashion, rolling it in on a red carpet of bass and cymbals. 

Blueberry Pie is a big bowlful of luscious rock and blues with thoughtful lyrics, played with precision.  It’s that damn good. 

Andy T. Nick Nixon Band - Numbers Man

2015 –Blind Pig Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 3, 2015

Taking in the cool blues-lavished sounds of the Andy T. – Nick Nixon Band’s latest release, Numbers Man makes me smile from ear to ear. The band is guitarist Andy ‘T’ Talamantez, vocalist Nick Nixon, Larry van Loon handing the B3 and piano, drummer Jim Klingler, and bassist Sam Persons. Also along for the ride is The Texas Horns (Kaz Kazanov: tenor sax, Al Gomez : trumpet, and John Mills : baritone sax).

A blast of horns and a wave of B3 lead the way for a swinging R&B treat in “Shut the Front Door”. Andy T. delivers classic rock guitar, Chuck Berry style, as Nixon belts out his commanding vocals. The band nails down a splendid rendition of Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown’s ”Gate’s Salty Blues” in which Klingler’s precision drumming rolls out to greet the sweet twang of Andy T’s guitar.

Infatuation with a 6’-3” tall gal is the inspiration for the fun and spirited, “Tall Drink of Water” in which special guest, Christian Dozzler takes the boat out for a little Zydeco fun. Dozzler also adds a nice taste of barrelhouse blues to “Sundown Blues”, which mixes nicely with the lush B3 sounds of Van Loon. This extraordinary track features Kim Wilson from the Fabulous Thunderbirds on harmonica. When that is joined with Nixon’s gravelly vocals, everything gels perfectly and culminates into a flawless performance.

It’s very obvious that Andy T. and Nixon take their music seriously. Numbers Man is the proof in the pudding.

Andrè Bisson - Left With the Blues

2015 –Andre’ Bisson

By Phillip Smith; Sep 26, 2015

There’s something magical about the multi-talented Andrè Bisson and his latest release, Left With the Blues. The band, made up of vocalist/guitarist/pianist Bisson, saxophonist Bill Holinaty, trumpeter Loretta Hale, bassist Kevin Beeby, and drummer Glenn Paul, is one extremely tight group of musicians with a keen flair for blending blues with soul, funk, and gospel.  Bisson’s songwriting talent shines on this magnificent album. 

Bisson’s vocals drip with emotion as he sings the title track, “Left with the Blues”.   He reminds me so much of Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) on this one.  This slow heartfelt song sounds spectacular accented with the horns.  Bisson gives a flawless performance on his cover of Tommy McClennan’s beloved blues standard “Crosscut Saw”.  It’s a treat to hear the very talented blues harp player Jerome Godboo sit in on “Deepest Kind of Mean”.   When I hear him play, it leaves no doubt why he won Best Harmonica Player at the International Blues Challenge in 2014.  This bluesy melodious treat is indeed a favorite.

Left With the Blues closes with “Brand New Day”, a joyous and spirited song fit for a revival.  This one has such a big and full sound, it brings a smile to my face.  The entire album is an outstanding listen.    

Slam Allen - Feel These Blues

2015 – American Showplace Music

By Phillip Smith; April 4, 2015

Step inside, Slam Allen’s latest album, Feel These Blues, and allow yourself to soak up all the soulful house-rockin’ goodness you can.  Don’t worry about being greedy, there’s plenty for everyone.  Listening to the blues being performed at the level Allen plays is such a joy.  Having worked his way up through the ranks by being lead guitarist and lead singer for James Cotton for nine years, Allen’s years of experience is felt in every song.  With a band composed of bassist Jeff Anderson, drummer Dan Fadel, and organist/pianist extraordinaire John Ginty, Allen delivers eleven delightful original tracks, and a surprising cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain”.

Allen jump-starts things with title track “Feel These Blues”, a high-energy boogie with fantastic, bluesy guitar licks.  It’s a perfect song to set the album in motion with.  Keeping the blues bus a rolling is “All Because of You”.  This stand-out track, topped with Ginty’s B3 is slathered with Allen’s soulful guitar and vocals.  There’s an undeniable Memphis Stax influence on “Can’t Break Away From That Girl”.  Allen seeming channels Otis Redding, while throwing in little Steve Cropper-ish licks on guitar.  I love the funky, feel-good groove built around Anderson’s bassline.  All this, along with a little church added via Ginty on organ, makes the track a bona fide favorite.  For a feel-good song which exudes positive energy, nothing beats “That’s Where You Are”.  From the opening bassline to the closing organ outro, this luscious track puts a smile on my face every time.   

Slam Allen keeps the writing real and the performances fresh. Feel the Blues is “Top-Shelf” blues at its best.

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar - Send the Nightingale

2015 – Samantha Martin Music

By Phillip Smith; Feb 28, 2015

The new album from Toronto-based recording artists Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar is sure to draw a lot of attention and adoration.  Boasting a clever mix of blues, roots, country and gospel music, Send the Nightingale is absolutely compelling.  With vocals that fall into the same wheelhouse as Janis Joplin, Martin takes command of each song.  Guitarist Mikey McCallum, along with backing vocalists Sherie Marshall and Stacie Tabb, form Delta Sugar.    

Martin’s influences are also nicely rooted in Sixties soul music as well.  Kicking off with a light rhythm reminiscent of Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man”, is “Addicted”, a proclaiming song of love, and a soulful joyous treat.  The mood suddenly drops on “When You Walk Away”, a heart wrenching song about splitting up.  McCallum on guitar, brings to mind Steve Cropper’s playing on ”(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay”.    

Martin performs “One More Day” with the energy and unbridled exuberance of a gospel band in a southern tent revival.  Complete with obligatory stomps and clap, it’s cloaked in a rootsy and rustic vibe.  To this song, I say “Amen brothers and sisters!”  The song that sticks with me the most though is “Don’t Shoot”.  I absolutely love it.  Martin, like Lucinda Williams, just has an uncanny knack for writing great story-telling songs that rock with a country/western flair.

Excellent songwriting, powerful vocals, fantastic harmonies, and expert musicianship, make Send the Nightingale the wonderful album it is.

   

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/